The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015, are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 23, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Composed as a suite of pitch-perfect poems, Grimes (Portrait of Mary, 1994, etc.) affectionately portrays a young girl's enjoyment of the spirit and practice of Sunday services in her community's church. On Sunday, LaTasha's mother wakes her up with whispers, and after she is dressed, ``I practically run to Paradise--/to Paradise Baptist Church.'' There she is greeted and pinched by ``Blue-Haired Ladies,'' surveys the ``Ladies' Hats,'' and admires the ``White Gloves'' worn by the ushers. She enjoys the ``march-march-marching in place,'' gently sways to ``Rock-a-my-soul,'' and feels joy in her baptism. Sunday school, collection plate offerings, and children's prayers are celebrated, as are delicious church suppers, a visiting preacher, and the final ``Sunday Evening'' service. At the end of the long, joy-filled day, LaTasha is sleepy and glad she spent ``another day in Paradise.'' While some of Bryant's watercolor paintings are more skilled than others, the overall effect is one of exaltation tempered by serene faith. Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at the jubilation. (Picture book. 4-8)

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